Engaging the Student (Entry Task) 

Checking for Understanding (exit ticket)

1 class period 

At the beginning of class, allow students 5 minutes in their teams to share information they researched for homework.

Pair teams with opposite positions and have them informally debate and discuss their positions for about 10 minutes

• Sustainability Topics Worksheet

Watch The Sticky Note Activity video for teachers explaining the activity:

1. Hand out a stack of sticky notes to each team and have team members put each piece of evidence they found for homework on a separate sticky note. Make sure that each sticky note identifies which bag it is referring to.
2. In groups no more than 12, have students place the sticky notes separately on a wall, chalkboard, table, or set of desks. Circular options work best because it engages all of the students. Have students silently arrange them into categories based on similarities. It’s important that students remain silent so they are not influenced by each other.
3. When they seem to be coming to a stopping point, have them rotate halfway around the table and see if they agree with the organization on that side.
4. Have the students label each of their categories.
5. Lead a discussion and lecture on the definition, pillars, scope, problems, and solutions of Environmental Sustainability. It is important that students have a strong grasp of the concepts of Sustainability before moving forward. 

• Pack of sticky notes for each team
• Fat Sharpies
• A cleared wall, large table, or arranged desks
• Chalk/dry erase markers
• This TED talk on the impact of plastic and paper bags
• This magazine article on paper vs plastic bags
• The three pillars of sustainability
•  The definition of sustainability

Start making a class list of environmental sustainability issues on a big sticky note

Journal check-in Spend a few minutes answering reflection questions in journals.

• What does sustainability mean to you?
• Why should our lifestyles be sustainable?
• What questions do you still have about sustainability?